wpZimmer Open Call 2027 – Residency for Collective Artistic Practices in Belgium

Overview

wpZimmer is hosting an artistic residency program focused on collective practices, offering four collectives a dedicated slot of workspace, shared accommodation, and financial support in Antwerp during 2027. The call is aimed at existing, newly formed, or temporary collectives of artists and artworkers who want space to experiment with collectivity itself as a practice, rather than to complete a single, predefined project.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an existing, new, or temporary collective of artists/artworkers based in Belgium
• Collective must consist of minimum 3 artists or artworkers
• At least one member must be living or working in Belgium
• Collective not focused on a single project, but on emerging, process-oriented practice or methodology
• Practice does not rely on one discipline or medium, and moves freely between contexts and themes
• Practice aims to bring people together in non-traditional or innovative ways, rather than through a classic black-box or white-cube setting
• Collective interested in reciprocal relationship with wpZimmer (exchange, not just space provision)

Program Benefits

• 5-week residency slot (choice of four periods across 2027)
• Access to technically equipped studio space, approx. 18m x 17m
• Access to medium-sized atelier space with limited technical equipment, approx. 4m x 13m
• Shared accommodation for up to 6 people per residency slot
• Financial contribution of €5,000, excl. VAT, per collective
• Access to wpZimmer's community and knowledge, including reciprocal working relationship with organization's team

Key Dates

• Registration Form Opens: 19 June 2026
• Optional Online Info Session: 7 July 2026, 16:30–18:00 (CET)
• Application Deadline: 20 September 2026
• Results Announced: November 2026

Residency Slots

• Slot 1: 15 March – 18 April 2027
• Slot 2: 17 May – 20 June 2027
• Slot 3: 10 October – 12 November 2027
• Slot 4: 22 November – 24 December 2027

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online. Applicants are asked to describe their practice in relation to wpZimmer's stated criteria; the jury bases its decision solely on the submitted text, and no supplementary materials such as websites or portfolios will be consulted. A maximum of 100 applications will be accepted; wpZimmer will post an update once submissions reach the 50% threshold.

Application & Fees

• Application Fee: None
• Online application required

Additional Information

Applications that don't meet basic formal criteria (minimum collective size, at least one Belgium-based member) will not be forwarded to the jury. The jury—three external artists/artworkers and a member of wpZimmer's artistic team—shortlists applicants, after which wpZimmer's team makes the final decision jointly with the external jury. Selected collectives are not required to be present at wpZimmer every day during their residency period and are not obligated to produce a public showing. International collaborators may be invited during the residency, but wpZimmer will not cover their travel or insurance costs.